Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... It is going to be another too-hot day. It's especially yucky because we had a few teaser days of cooler weather last week.

I am thinking... about how glad I am I do not have to put my kids on the bus in the morning and then rush off to work for a tiring day, to then come home and have to do my family responsibilities. I am so thankful that I get to stay home and do what I love.

I am thankful ... that my little kids go to an elementary school that has teachers who work to meet the individual needs of their students.

I am wearing... a pair of jeans (even though it's going to be stinking hot today .. this time of year I just can't wait to get into jeans), a white t-shirt, a cropped striped nautical themed cardigan and black flats.

I am planning... lessons for Dawson, at all times. I'm always looking for interesting things we can add to our unit.

I am creating... nothing this week. After Brynne's birthday party this past weekend, I need a few days off.

I am going... to continue to be mindful of the needs of every member of my family and do what I can to provide for their needs, all without losing energy and without losing myself in the process. Hefty challenge, I know. But this issue of balance is a constant struggle.

I am reading... Mad Dash, by Patricia Gaffney.

I am hoping... that I get back into my cash-only system of spending money so that I can keep a better handle on my budgeting. I have really slacked in this area this summer.

On my mind... is how being "chosen" is so important to me. I want to be important to people and it drives me, too much I think.

From the learning rooms... Kyndal is continuing to put a lot of effort into her school work. Dawson is still learning about Ancient Egypt and keeping very busy! (You can click on the Journey to Excellence link on the right sidebar to keep up with his progress.) We met with Eli's teacher and resource teacher last week to discuss ways to help him complete his work and transition to the next assignment without being frustrated. We came up with a cool system, I think. Brynne continues to rule kindergarten. She is doing great, is well-behaved and a blessing to her teacher (in a class where she has 30 kindergarteners!).

Noticing that ... I allow my busyness to run over the relationships in my life. My love language is Acts of Service, so I naturally serve others to show them I love them. But that's not the love language of any of my family members, I don't believe, so when all I do is serve, serve, serve, they don't feel loved. Again, a constant struggle! Time to slow down and just love my family. But how do I do that in the midst of doing all I do and, consequently, loving all I do?

From the kitchen... is almost everything we had on the menu last week because we just seemed not to get to much of it.

Around the house... Trees have been cut down and trimmed. We had several dead (big) trees on our acre lot and it was sad to see them down. But, our property looks so much better now, especially after Rick spent time this weekend trimming the ones we still have.

One of my favorite things... is having my sweet, fat, fuzzy Quincy curled up right next to my stomach while I sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tonight is Kyndal's Back-to-School night at her school. Rick, hopefully, gets back from a last-minute business trip to Nebraska. Tomorrow evening Tess is coming over to spend some time with Dawson for a while and Kyndal has physical therapy. On Thursday she has physical therapy again and Dawson and I will volunteer at our elementary school. On Friday the older kids are leaving for the weekend with their dad. The rest of us are staying home. I thought we might go roller skating on Saturday. But, we'll see. I really plan to do nothing on Sunday! Monday is Labor Day and we have nothing planned.

From my picture journal.


I saw this truck this morning and it reminded me that I had taken this picture when I was behind it one day. It's the back of a septic tank truck. This is especially funny to our family because my dad does this for a living. He calls his septic tank truck "The Turd Hearse".

Menu Plan Monday ~ Repeats

Because of a crazy birthday weekend, a date night out and an unexpected business trip for Rick, we ate lots of easy on-hand things the past few nights. So, you will see a familiar menu this week.

Monday ~ Leftover Easy Chicken Parmesan

Tuesday ~ Meatball subs

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ Crescent chicken

Friday ~ Mexican pizza

Saturday ~ Salmon and veggies for Rick and I, fish sticks for the kids

Sunday ~ Stuffed peppers for Rick and I, stuffed pepper mix served over rice for the kids

Rick Rocks ~ Because These Boots Were Not Made for Walkin'

I don't buy much for myself unless it is super cheap, or unless Rick just makes me!

The other day I saw this picture in the Rack Room circular and me, being an extreme-lover-of-boots-but-too-frugal-to-spend-much-on-them kind of girl, I put the picture on Rick's dresser with a note that said, "I love" and instructions that he could buy them for me if he ever wanted to pick me up a little something.


He said, "You know I'm not going to go in there and buy you those boots. But you go buy them tomorrow!"

The next day, knowing me and how I would talk myself out of needing/wanting them, he left the picture sitting on the kitchen counter when he went to work.

Then he called me a couple of hours later and told me to go get them.

And, I did.

And, I love.

{I also took advantage of BOGO and a $10 coupon and got Brynne three more pair of shoes for this fall. You can make the girl not be frugal (when her husband tells her to buy herself boots 'just because'), but you can't take the frugal out of the girl.

Then after my dream night before last, Rick texted me a couple of different times during the day to tell me how I was the only one for him, or something like that. He knew I was anxious about my dream and wanted to provide me with reassurance, which helped my day tremendously. Good to know he's not walking anywhere but toward me.

Rick Rocks!

I had a dream last night ...

and it was horrifying!

I dreamed that Rick and I were getting ready to renew our vows. I had asked a friend of ours to stand up with me. We were getting ready and she bailed on me because she said she found out her cat had been hit by a car. I was upset but started curling my own hair. Big chunks of it fell out.

When I walked out into the sanctuary of the church, everybody was staring at me like "they knew something".

Come to find out, that friend had been having an affair with Rick.

Then they both got bold about it! I immediately filed for divorce (like a minute later he had the papers in his hands). I couldn't get her to leave the courtroom during the proceedings. She wouldn't leave. And Rick was so mean to me, yelling at me.

I was sobbing so hard I couldn't breathe. I was trying to get the kids loaded up in the car so we could leave. But the woman was there taunting me. And Rick didn't care about me anymore.

My alarm went off at 5:15 a.m. so I could go run, and I just couldn't do it. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep and put some distance between me and that dream.

When I was taking Kyndal to her friend's this morning, all the talk on the radio was the divorce of Tiger Woods and Elin. The discussion on one station was about whose fault it was. One DJ said that Tiger has accepted 100% responsibility. But the other DJ said that "nothing comes between happy couples", that Elin had at least a small percentage of responsibility for his affair in that she wasn't providing him with some kind of need. There was much debate about that. I tend to agree with the second DJ. I know there are exceptions (like sexual addictions, etc.), but I've always been under the opinion that affairs are not the cause of divorce, but that affairs are the result of other problems in the marriage. {I don't presume to blame Elin. Tiger had a choice.}

And then a couple of my favorite blogs are discussing some of these topics.

And I have mentioned on my own blog in the last couple of days how I feel, I know, I have been neglecting Rick because of my busyness.

This is heavy on my heart today. We need to take care of our spouses. When I am hearing the same thing from various sources I always perk up and pay attention! I know that it is God speaking to me, wherever I am at (in the car, sleeping, reading blogs ... cause He knows that's where I'm choosing to spend my time), trying to get my attention.

Father, I hear you!

Putting ME in my Day

Well, at first I didn't think I had a thing to talk about today. And, really, I don't. My life right now consists of kids, kids, kids and more kids. Between school, school at home, life after school, a birthday party this weekend with three more coming up, and holidays bursting onto the scene, there's not much time for me.

And I'm not complaining. It's a season, sisters! And I know this because I have an almost 16 year old. It's gone in the blink of an eye.

Anyway, how do I keep MYSELF in my life during busy seasons like this that require giving so much of myself to others? Here are my thoughts.

1. Gotta get up early and exercise. Getting up early stinks, but it is "me" time that I desperately need. It keeps my joints lubricated, keeps me toned and gives me a much-needed energy boost. Then I'm ready for the day.

2. I don't have the time in my day to actually go to a Bible study right now. I have chosen, instead, to do a book club with Marla Taviano, reading the book Radical by David Platt.

3. Getting the kids to bed by 8:30 p.m. so I can spend some time with Rick. Spending time with him is difficult. Remember the "kids, kids, kids and more kids" issue? But it is so important! Our summer has left us neglecting our date nights. These will move back up the list in being a priority! We need those times together.

4. Trying to fit in some alone time every day, even if it's just giving Dawson an assignment and running downstairs to do some blogging or taking a 20 minute power nap late in the afternoon before the other kids get home.

5. Drinking lots of water, taking my vitamins, eating healthy, getting proper sleep. These things make a world of difference to me in that I know I am taking care of myself.

6. An occasional night away. I've been invited to be an accountability scrapbooking partner for a buddy. Getting out one afternoon and evening a week to create memories for my family will likely recharge me.

7. My new one ... making Sunday a day of rest and doing exactly that! ... not getting out of my pjs, laying on the couch, catching up on DVR'd shows, reading, napping, just sitting with my family.

For now, this is the best I can do to maintain ME.

Now my "star student" is coming down the stairs throwing his nerf bullets onto the stair bannister, which tells me he's done with his writing assignment. So, gotta go!

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... It is pitch-black dark and humid! But, it's only supposed to be a high of 89 degrees today. Break out the jeans and sweaters!!! It's also a full moon outside and at 1 a.m., when I was taking a dog potty, it was so light in our backyard! It was weird!

I am thinking... about how I need to adjust my schedule so I am not a zombie by 6 p.m. every night. I tend to over-do it in the area of scheduling, and try to fit too much into my day, and then I crash and burn. The problem with this is that the only person getting any good part of me is Dawson because he is here all day. (And Rick was afraid that would happen.) And I am very passionate about teaching him so am giving it 168% all day. But I don't want the other four members of my family to get the exhausted me when they finally come home. I'm not exactly sure what to do about that except practice some mind-over-matter and will myself to keep my energy level up until bed time.

I am thankful ... that everyone is enjoying school!

I am wearing... my running clothes.

I am planning... the remainder of Brynne's birthday party that is this weekend.

I am creating... a poster for school announcing the Fall Craft Party for kindergarten and first grade, that's in November (gotta start getting parents on-board early and we have parent meetings this week) and paper chef hats for Brynne's party.

I am going... to have a slightly more low-key day today, because I don't have to run Kyndal around all day today (she has a friend who just got her license ... mixed feelings!)

I am reading... Shadow Dance, by Julie Garwood. I haven't read at all this week, and I want to.

I am hoping... that Little Miss Brynne does good being the first Calendar helper of the year in kindergarten today.

On my mind... is a blogging friend whose marriage is in real trouble.

From the learning rooms... Kyndal is on top of school so far and I am very proud of her! She did get a couple of classes switched, that she is hoping will help her out some. Dawson is really surprising me with his attitude and quality of work in homeschooling. Check out Journey to Excellence to see what all he is doing. I was told by Eli's school counselor that she is just so amazed at how mature Eli is this year and so accepting of school. He did his first homework last night. And Brynne is ruling kindergarten. She knew how to spell "Red" yesterday and got chosen to be the first Calendar helper which is a big deal! All the kids are doing so great!

Noticing that ... Having teenagers isn't so bad .. at least having mine.

From the kitchen... Goulash, subs and kabobs on the menu.

Around the house... This house needs cleaned like someone's mama is coming for a visit. Oh, yeah, mine is this weekend! Better get busy!

One of my favorite things... is the wave of silence that comes over the house when the last of the kids goes to bed. Ahhhhh .....

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tonight is the kindergarten parent meeting. Tomorrow the older kids have youth groups. On Thursday Dawson and I will volunteer at Eli and Brynne's school and then that night is the first grade parent meeting. On Friday Dawson has a get-t0gether to attend (which has become so important for him to do). My mom and niece are coming on Saturday morning and Brynne's 5th birthday party is that day!! Check back for the cute party ideas! My week mostly consists of schooling Dawson, cleaning the house, getting ready for Brynne's party and running the kids around. I'll be ready for Sunday and some relaxation!

From my picture journal.


Just after riding the bus for the first time! It was fun!

Menu Plan Monday ~ Another Easy Meal Idea

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about how I get oh-so-tired of the turkey sandwich and like to shake things up a tad bit at lunch time (my favorite meal). But, I want to keep it simple and healthy and as low-fat as possible.

My last meal I talked about was the turkey burger. And for being oh-so-tired of turkey, this one involves turkey, too. But, they are both 'with a twist'!

Turkey Panini and Easy Homemade Pasta Salad

For the turkey panini, you use the bread of your choice (this time it was rye). Spray each side with spray butter. Load up with sliced turkey, fresh sliced mushrooms, sliced red onions, fresh spinach. Then top with other slice of butter-sprayed bread. Grill on George Foreman (or in my case a Sunbeam knockoff) grill. You can add cheese, use ham instead of turkey, substitute other veggies ... whatever fits your taste buds. I just love this variety!! So yummy!

For the pasta salad, cook garden rotini noodles. Rinse with cold water until they are cooled off. Add fresh sliced tomatoes and sliced black olives (other veggies if you want them). Add about a half of a cup of shredded parmesan cheese. Then add enough Fat Free Italian dressing to taste. I don't like mine too tangy, so I just add about a half a cup or so.

And there you have it.

We had this for dinner on Friday night. Here is Rick enjoying his!


Now on to this week's menu ...

Monday ~ Rick's favorite Goulash

Tuesday ~ Subway at home (haven't gotten to this the past two weeks)

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ Sirloin and veggie kabobs with rice (Sirloin was on sale this week. This is a rarity for us!)

Friday ~ Meatball subs

Saturday ~ Mexican pizzas

Sunday ~ Easy chicken parmesan and spaghetti noodles

Have a great week!

A Summary of My Weekend

Wow. This is going to be an interesting year! We had a great first week back to school. Everybody seems to be energized and loving it!

My schedule {yay for a schedule!} changed drastically looking like this now:

5:15 a.m. ~ run
6:00 a.m. ~ brief computer time
6:15 a.m. ~ shower and get ready
7:00 a.m. ~ drive Kyndal to town for school and get Dawson up
7:30 a.m. ~ get Eli and Brynne up and off to school
8:30 a.m. ~ unload the dishwasher, make the beds, start household duties of the day
9:00 a.m. ~ homeschooling
Noon ~ lunch and housework
1:00 p.m. ~ homeschooling (or errands or volunteering at school)
2:30 p.m. ~ Kyndal picked up
4:00 p.m. ~ Eli and Brynne home
Evening ~ homework, dinner, getting ready for the next day, school meetings, projects, homeschool planning, baths.
8:30 p.m. ~ kids to bed and Rick and me time

Whew!

So, what did I do this weekend?

AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!!!

And that included a couple of trips running errands, making birthday party invitations, practicing making paper chef hats for Brynne's party, running Kyndal and her friend around town taking pictures for a class project, cleaning the floors, washing sheets, inputting grades, finishing planning next week's lessons for Dawson, and a host of other things.

Yeah, that's all.

But, I did do all of this in comfy clothes and a laid back attitude. Why? Because I'm too wiped out to be too stressed about anything.

I'm still tired, but I'm relaxing as much as I can today and catching up on reading blogs I enjoy and enjoying my coffee. I'm just going to take it easy because ....

tomorrow my schedule above starts all over again.

Rick Rocks ~ A Letter to my Husband

Dear Rick ~

I just wanted to take a moment and tell you what a great husband and father I think you are.

I know that right now you are experiencing extreme frustrations at work, and it doesn't look as though it is going to get any better any time soon. For some men this might not be a big deal. But, for you, I know that it is. That is one of the reasons why I love you ... because of your integrity and work ethic! I just wish your company appreciated those traits in you, as well!

I appreciate, so much, that you are working hard not to bring your work frustrations home with you. I know that it is not easy. Thank you. It is our desire to have all of you when you are here. But on the same token, I want you to feel like you can vent to me whenever you need to. You can't hold it all inside and I desire to be the friend to you that you need. Who knows, I might even have some helpful insight.

Dawson and I have been reading the story of Joseph. It was 13 years between the time that Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and when he was appointed over all the land of Egypt. During that time God was stripping him of all his pride, teaching him patience and building his character for the insanely big job he would have in the future. I pray that your time of hardship is not 13 years! But, hopefully you can look at the story of Joseph and gain some hope and encouragement.

I truly believe God is using this time to build you up for something important he has planned for you.

But, in the meantime, you are doing something so important! You are committed to being a wonderful husband and amazing father. These are important tasks and we need you in these areas! Don't forget that!

I love you, babe! I love our life and I thank you for working so hard so that I can do the things that are important to me.

Things are so crazy right now with school starting and the new schedules, etc. I promise to continue to work hard to make you a priority in my day when so many others and things are tugging at me.

I love you so much!!

The Summer Wrap-up

Tell me .. did you have a good summer?

Some summers are better than others for me. Last summer was horrid! This summer was excellent!

Of course, it didn't hurt that we started it out right by Rick and I going on a long {much-needed} cruise through the Hawaiian Islands. Heaven!

After we got back, though, it was time for the reality of four kids. I had a lot planned. And in reviewing our time I think we accomplished everything I set out for us to do for the summer, and then some.

Here's what we did ... {I am pretty sure I blogged about everything on this list on, at least, one of my blogs.}

* The YMCA splash pad
* Kyndal church camp
* Library (numerous times)
* Turning a freezer box into a spaceship
* Swimming at a couple of neighbors'
* Gilcrease Museum
* Picking blackberries
* Funtastic Island playground
* Philbrook Museum
* Playing golf
* Big Splash (numerous times)
* Making bird feeders
* Swinging
* Organizing toys
* Lots of time spent with boyfriends/girlfriends and other friends
* Justin Bieber concert
* Time at grandma and papa's
* Dawson lots of trips to the lake
* Go Figure! exhibit
* Roller skating
* Vacation to Oklahoma City

To end our summer we invited my sister, Kristen, and my niece, Rylee, down for a weekend of fun and shopping!








As you can see that included Starbucks! A sweet summer (and rare) treat! And since Brynne rode in a car stroller for six hours at the mall, she got to ride the merry-g0-round.

Also that weekend, Aunt Kristen schooled the younger ones in a game of hoops.


We had a really great time with them! That is especially sweet because my sister and I did not get along at all when we were kids and teenagers! Then we went through a several year period of estrangement. Now we are very close, both raising teenage daughters (who are just like each of us). I value very much the auntly advice she gives Kyndal and feel that after all these years I have found a true friend in my sister.

It was a perfect way to end the summer.

First Day of School Photos ~ 2010-2011

Kyndal ~ 10th Grade

Dawson ~ 8th Grade

Eli ~ 1st Grade

Brynne ~ Kindergarten

Nicole's Daybook ~ Back to School

Outside my window... It is raining! Yay!!!!!!!!!! And the last couple of days it has been in the low 90's. It's felt like 75 degrees after the 100+ degrees for the past couple of weeks (unfortunately that's returning at the end of this week.) Dead leaves at this moment are just flying out of the trees with all of the hard rain hitting them.

I am thinking... about how these kids need. to. go. to. school.

I am thankful ... that my sister and niece were able to come for a visit this past weekend. My sister and I were not close until the last seven or eight years and I love having a sister to talk to and be close with.

I am wearing... my jammies. It's the last day of summer break and we all slept in and are being lazy until this afternoon.

I am planning... the first couple of weeks of Dawson's lesson plans and gathering supplies for the projects we'll be doing. It's going to be a great first two weeks!

I am creating... the invitations for Brynne's birthday party.

I am going... to take the little kids to their school today to drop off their supplies and "meet" their teachers. Eli's 1st grade teacher was Dawson's kindergarten teacher. And Brynne's kindergarten teacher was Eli's teacher last year.

I am reading... Shadow Dance, by Julie Garwood. My friend Tamara texted me and says she owns The Pillars of the Earth so I can borrow it from her and finish it.

I am hoping... that all the kids have a great first day of school!

On my mind... is what a great summer I have had .. first with an amazing vacation with Rick and then in the day-to-day activities with the kids. I think everyone enjoyed their summer and now we are ready for another school year.

From the learning rooms... oh my gosh ... it's tomorrow! And we will officially have a learning room at home. I am nervous but excited! After planning Dawson's first two weeks of school, I am sure this is going to be an awesome year for us! And Kyndal has already read 175 pages of her first book for AR (Accelerated Reading). You have NO IDEA what an accomplishment that is! I am so proud of her! And I can't believe my little two will both be in school all day. This is going to be such a different year for us. But I am hopeful and optimistic.

Noticing that ... My older two kids are great kids.

From the kitchen... We are having a busy week this week, and daddy will be gone this weekend. It would be easy for us to eat fast food a lot this week. Instead, we are having fast food at home ... simulating Chick-fil-a, Subway and Mazzio's. It will be cheaper and better for us!

Around the house... are the remnants of the end of summer. I cannot wait to have a picked up house all day (starting tomorrow) and to actually have a schedule that allows me to clean it on a regular basis.

One of my favorite things... is the start of a new school year. I loved it when I was in school (elementary, high school, law school) and love it now that my kids are in it. I always want the first day of a school year to be memorable to my kids and for them to feel a fresh start on it. I always did and always do.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today I am taking the little kids to their school to drop off their supplies and see their teachers. Then Dawson and I are hoping to be able to stop by and see his Spanish teacher from 6th grade so we can check out some materials for this school year. Tomorrow is the first day of school!!! Kyndal also has physical therapy on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday night Dawson and I are going to Tulsa to go back to the mummy exhibit at Philbrook Museum because there is a CSI expert giving a presentation and we get to make amulets. On Friday I have my *ahem* doctor's appointment. This weekend Rick is playing in a golf tournament on Saturday and Sunday. So, the kids and I are going to recuperate from our first week of school. We'll also do some grocery shopping. Kyndal may go to her dad's lakehouse for the weekend.

From my picture journal.

This picture was taken at the Science Museum Oklahoma in the aviation exhibit. I said, "Wow .. look at those bullets!" Eli said, "Those aren't bullets, they're pencils!"

Menu Plan Monday ~ Super Busy Week/Back to School Edition

This is going to be a crazy week for us, as for most families. We start back to school on Wednesday and Rick will be gone this weekend at a golf tourney.

Monday ~ Asian chicken stir fry {mom's favorite!}

Tuesday ~ "Chick-fil-a" at home {popcorn chicken, waffle fries, chocolate shakes}

Wednesday ~ FFY

Thursday ~ "Subway" at home

Friday ~ Hot dogs and mac and cheese

Saturday ~ Homemade calzones to order

Sunday ~ Grilled cheese and paninis

Have a great week!

What Kind of Religion are you Practicing?

A verse jumped out at me last week and hit me square between the eyes and I haven't been able to get it off my mind:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
~ James 1:27

Seems pretty simple.

Makes me wonder what the heck I've been doing in my "religious" life all these years. Thought I was doing what I was "supposed" to do. I think I thought wrong.

Rick Rocks ~ Because I Miss Him

I know that sounds odd. But let me explain.

These last few weeks have found me super busy, super tired and by the end of the day I am a super zombie. I am distracted and worn out.

This time of year is also when Rick plays a lot of golf.

These two things together means that we don't spend much {if any} time together.

I am going to be honest and say that there have been times that it didn't really bother me. I was so worn out that I was glad to be alone and have time to myself.

But our love for each other has grown considerably stronger over the past couple of years. And I find myself missing him if we aren't spending time together. And I find myself being bothered when I know I haven't been putting him as my first priority.

This week I was busy getting ready for our mini-vacation. Then we were gone on our mini-vacation. Then last night when we got back from our mini-vacation I was exhausted and went to bed at 9:30. Rick went to work this morning while I was still asleep. Right after work he is going out of town for the evening for something he has to do. By the time he gets back I'll probably be in bed. Then my sister is coming tomorrow night for a few days.

I miss him.

I am glad I miss him. I am happy that I love him so much that when I am not getting to spend time with him, that I miss him.

And I do miss him ... Rick Rocks.

A Lost Art Reborn

Back in 1981, or thereabouts, I would come home from church on Sunday morning and stare at the clock until just before 1:00 p.m.

What was I waiting on? Rosie's Roller Rink to open!

I went roller skating every Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. I am certain it was the highlight of my week.

I wasn't allowed to go on Friday nights because that's when all the older kids went and I heard they shut the lights down for couples skating.

Fast forward to 2007. Dawson's 5th grade class was going roller skating for their field trip. I went and donned some roller skates for the first time since I was probably 16 years old. It's like riding a bike ... you never forget how to do it.

Watching those poor kids try to skate told me that roller skating had become a lost art. (Because those of us who are 30 years and older know that roller skating was an art!)

It's now 2010 and my family cannot get enough of roller skating. We went a couple of weeks ago for our neighbor's birthday party and had so much fun! This past Saturday Brynne wanted to go again to celebrate her birthday. Again, we had a blast! And this time Eli and Brynne even started skating in the practice rink by themselves ... all the way across it and back, over and over and over!

Will we go skating again?? Absolutely! And hopefully soon!

What a fun thing to do as a family! It's great exercise and we do lots of smiling and laughing. This week Rick and I even got to do some couple's skating with the lights down!! Of course I had to be the one to skate backwards. And later he chased me around the rink.

Where was he in 1981?

"It's my birthday {tomorrow} and I'll pout if I want to."
(Don't you love the retro carpet covered benches?)

(Yes, I had on skates!)

What a Deal! ~ Wednesday

Last Friday, while running, I came upon a garage sale in my neighborhood. They had some great stuff and this is what I got ....

A globe for 50 cents! (I had really been wanting one!)

This mirror for Kyndal's bedroom makeover for $1.00. We're going to paint it black or white.

Three gold pillows for $5.00 ... two with the "balls" on them an the sequined one on in the bottom photo.